ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) is the premium option for gamers, delivering a 144Hz refresh rate and a powerful RTX 4050 GPU. However, if you prioritize a stunning display and portability, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) shines with its 500-nit brightness and lightweight design, making it easier to take on the go. Key specs: Display: 15.6" vs 13.6" and Refresh: 144 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? Both the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) are high-end laptops competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for high-end features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | ASUS TUF | Apple MacBook |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3★ (70 reviews) | ✓4.7★ (1,821 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Large 90Wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop | Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Main Drawback | Screen brightness is limited to 250 nits, making outdoor use difficult | Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB) |
| Market Position | Premium | Premium |
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB)
AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS (Zen 3+, 8 cores, up to 4.75 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No (Not supported on Ryzen 7 7735HS)
Dual Arc Flow Fans (84-blade) with 4 exhaust vents
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
| Criterion | ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(70)Amazon | ★4.7(1,821)Amazon |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS (Zen 3+, 8 cores, up to 4.75 GHz) | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max) | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported on Ryzen 7 7735HS) | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | Dual Arc Flow Fans (84-blade) with 4 exhaust vents | Passive (Fanless silent design) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB) | No (Unified Memory architecture) |
Storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (2x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slots) | No (Soldered) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 13.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 2560 x 1664 (Native) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) |
Screen Type | IPS-level (Anti-glare) | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) |
Refresh Rate | 144 Hz (G-SYNC supported) | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 500 nits |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | Wide color (P3) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (Magic Keyboard) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (1-zone RGB Mini-LED) | Yes (Ambient light sensor) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB 4 Type-C (DisplayPort); 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort/PD/G-SYNC); 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 90 Wh (4-cell Li-ion) | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 240 W AC adapter | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) |
Weight | 2,200 g (4.85 lbs) | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic chassis with Aluminum lid (Mecha Gray) | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
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ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB)
AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS (Zen 3+, 8 cores, up to 4.75 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No (Not supported on Ryzen 7 7735HS)
Dual Arc Flow Fans (84-blade) with 4 exhaust vents
16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM)
Yes (2x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB)
Pros
- Large 90Wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop
- GPU runs at full 140W TGP for maximum RTX 4050 performance
Cons
- Screen brightness is limited to 250 nits, making outdoor use difficult
- Fans can become quite loud under turbo loads
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture)
Pros
- Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
Cons
- Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
Which one is better?
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) is the better buy for most people - its 144Hz refresh rate crushes the 60Hz of the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024). That said, grab the MacBook Air if you need a compact, lightweight laptop for productivity - it's 33% lighter and offers a premium build.
Who should buy each?
Choose the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) if: you want a high-refresh display for gaming, need powerful graphics performance, or require extensive connectivity options. (15.6" display, 144 Hz refresh)
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you prefer a lightweight design, want a superior display for media consumption, or need a fanless operation for quiet environments. (13.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.7★ vs 4.3★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,821 reviews vs 70
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Large 90Wh battery Priority
Large 90Wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop
→ Choose ASUS TUF
Significantly faster M3 Priority
Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Conclusion
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) leads with a 4.7★ rating versus 4.3★. That said, ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) or Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)?
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) is the better choice if you prioritize large 90wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) wins if you value significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Both are rated highly (4.3★ vs 4.7★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)?
Key differences: ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) offers large 90wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop, while Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) stands out with significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Consider that ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) screen brightness is limited to 250 nits, making outdoor use difficult. Meanwhile, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) base model starts with only 8gb ram and 256gb storage (slow ssd speeds on 256gb). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+What should I prioritize when choosing between these laptops?
Focus on the features that matter most for your daily use. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 15.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop (FA507NU-DS74, Ryzen 7 7735HS/RTX 4050, 16GB/1TB) stands out for large 90wh battery provides excellent endurance for a gaming laptop and gpu runs at full 140w tgp for maximum rtx 4050 performance. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) excels at significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and first macbook air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode). Check the spec table above for the complete side-by-side breakdown.
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